Fence wire securing device

ABSTRACT

A fence wire securing device and method are used to secure a fence wire to a fence post. The device includes a body having first and second ends and a through bore for receiving a shaft of the fence post. A resilient flexible strap extends from the second end of the body. The flexible strap is moveable between an open configuration in which a fence wire can be placed against an outer sidewall of the body, and a closed configuration in which an opening in the flexible strap is placed over a protruding free end of the fence post. The fence wire is trapped by the flexible strap against the sidewall of the body in the closed configuration. The securing device can also be used in another mounting configuration with a separate fastener to attach a fence wire to a mounting surface, such as a wooden post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fences and insulators for holding electric wires, and in particular, to devices for securing fence wires to fence posts and other structures.

Description of the Related Art

Electric fences are commonly used to create fenced in areas for livestock and pets. A typical electric fence includes at least one fence wire extending along one or more sides of the fenced in area, and a plurality of fence posts supporting the fence wire at spaced locations along the length of the fence wire.

Electric fence post insulators are used to secure the fence wire to the fence posts. The insulators also serves to electrically insulate the fence posts from the fence wire.

A conventional fence post insulator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,490, which includes a plastic body that slides over a vertical fence post and has a threaded plastic nut to tighten the insulator to the fence post. The insulator has a pair of arms with opposing recesses for holding the fence wire.

A common problem with the conventional fence post insulator is that when a vehicle or animal runs into the fence, the insulator often breaks or pops off of the fence post and goes flying. The insulators are often lost or damaged when that occurs, making it difficult to fix the fence quickly and easily.

A need exists for an improved fence post insulator to overcome the problems with the conventional plastic fence post insulator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a fence wire securing device that is easy to use, durable, releasable and reusable after an animal or vehicle runs into the fence, economical to manufacture, capable of accommodating various fence post diameters and fence post materials, capable of being used in a wide range of temperature extremes, and has a long useful life.

To accomplish these and other objects, the present invention provides a fence wire securing device for securing an electric fence wire to a fence post. The device includes a body having first and second ends and a through bore for receiving a shaft of the fence post. A resilient flexible strap extends from the second end of the body. The flexible strap is moveable between an open configuration in which a fence wire can be placed against an outer sidewall of the body, and a closed configuration in which an opening in the flexible strap is placed over a protruding free end of the fence post. The fence wire is trapped by the flexible strap against the sidewall of the body in the closed configuration. The securing device can also be used in another mounting configuration with a separate fastener to attach a fence wire to a different type of mounting surface, such as a wooden post.

According to one aspect of the invention, a fence wire securing device is provided, comprising: a body having first and second ends and a through bore extending between the first and second ends for receiving a shaft of a fence post; and a resilient flexible strap extending from the second end of the body. The flexible strap has a first opening therein and is moveable between a first open configuration in which a fence wire can be placed against an outer sidewall of the body, and a second closed configuration in which the first opening in the flexible strap is placed over the shaft of the fence post adjacent to the first end of the body with the fence wire trapped by the flexible strap against the sidewall of the body.

According to another aspect of the invention, a fence wire securing device having multiple mounting configurations is provided, comprising: a body having first and second ends and a through bore extending between the first and second ends; and a resilient flexible strap extending from the second end of the body. The flexible strap has at least one opening therein for securing the flexible strap in a closed configuration for holding a fence wire between the flexible strap and the body.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method for securing a fence wire to a fence post is provided, comprising: providing a securing device having a body with first and second ends and a through bore extending between the first and second ends, and a resilient flexible strap extending from the second end of the body and having a first opening therein; placing the body onto a fence post with a shaft of the fence post received in the through bore and a free end of the fence post protruding from the first end of the body; placing a fence wire against an outer sidewall of the body; and bending the flexible strap and placing the first opening of the flexible strap over the free end of the fence post protruding from the first end of the body with the fence wire trapped by the flexible strap against the sidewall of the body.

Numerous other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described embodiments of the present invention, simply by way of illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more clearly appreciated as the disclosure of the invention is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fence wire securing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the fence wire securing device.

FIG. 3 is a first end view of the fence wire securing device.

FIG. 4 is a second end view of the fence wire securing device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fence wire securing device.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the fence wire securing device with a shaft of a fence post received in a through bore of the device.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the fence wire securing device in the position shown in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the fence wire securing device with a flexible strap of the device being bent into a closed configuration for trapping a fence wire.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the fence wire securing device in the position shown in FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the fence wire securing device with an opening in the flexible strap placed over a free end of the fence post to lock the device in the closed configuration.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the fence wire securing device in the position shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of the fence wire securing device in the position shown in FIG. 10 .

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the fence wire securing device in another mounting configuration in which the device is attached to a wooden post with a threaded screw fastener.

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the fence wire securing device in the position shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the fence wire securing device in another mounting configuration in which the device is attached to a wooden post with a double headed nail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A fence wire securing device 10 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.

The fence wire securing device 10 includes a body 11 with a first end 12, a second end 13, and a through bore 14 extending between the first and second ends 12, 13 for receiving a shaft of a fence post 15. The through bore 14 has a substantially triangular cross section to allow the body 11 to expand to accommodate various shaft diameters of fence posts 15. The triangular cross section allows for expansion of the size of the through bore 14 without creating excess friction when the device 10 is slipped onto larger diameter fence posts 15, while maintaining enough friction to also secure the device 10 to smaller diameter fence posts 15.

The body 11 has an outer sidewall 16 with first and second projections 17, 18 that extend outwardly from the body 11 at first and second ends 19, 20 of the sidewall 16, respectively. The sidewall 16 is substantially planar between the first and second projections 17, 18. The first and second projections 17, 18 are each in the form of a raised rib that spans a width of the sidewall 16. The first and second projections 17, 18 have beveled outer surfaces 21, 22.

A resilient flexible strap 23 extends from the second end 13 of the body 11. The flexible strap 23 and the body 11 are made as a single integral molded article of nonconductive material, such as a polymer alloy. The polymer alloy can be a blend of rubber and plastic to provide the desired flexibility and resilience through the desired temperature range, as well as the strength and durability needed to operate effectively.

The resilient flexible strap 23 has a first opening 24 and a second opening 25. The flexible strap 23 is movable between a first open configuration (FIGS. 6 and 7 ) in which a fence wire W can be placed against the outer sidewall 16 of the body 11, and a second closed configuration (FIGS. 8 to 11 ) in which the first opening 24 in the flexible strap 23 is placed over the shaft of the fence post 15 adjacent to the first end 12 of the body 11. In the closed configuration, the beveled surfaces 21, 22 of the first and second projections 17, 18 engage a flat facing surface 26 of the flexible strap 23, and the fence wire W is trapped by the flexible strap 23 against the outer sidewall 16 of the body 11.

The flexible strap 23 has a third projection 27 that extends toward the sidewall 16 between the first and second projections 17, 18 when the flexible strap 23 is in the second closed configuration. The third projection 27 extends from the flat facing surface 26 of the flexible strap 23 approximately the same distance as the first and second projections 17, 18 protrude outwardly from the sidewall 16 of the body 11.

The third projection 27 is adjacent to the first projection 17 at the first end 19 of the sidewall 16 when the flexible strap 23 is in the second closed configuration. A closed space 28 for accommodating the fence wire W when the flexible strap is in the second closed configuration is defined between opposing faces of the outer sidewall 16 and the flexible strap 23 and opposing faces of the second projection 18 and the third projection 27.

The third projection 27 and the first projection cooperate 17 with each other to create a releasable barrier on one end of the closed space 28 when the flexible strap 23 is in the second closed configuration. The releasable barrier created by the third projection 27 interlocking with the first projection 17 prevents the wire W from moving above the first projection 17 where it might make contact with the end 33 of the fence post 15 above the body 11 and short out the electric fence. The wire W is held securely within the closed space 28 during normal use, including occasions when an animal hits or strikes the wire causing the fence post 15 to be bent over, and challenging terrain where the fence post is placed in a low spot and the fence wire imparts an upward force on the securing device 10.

When extreme forces are imparted to the wire W, the releasable barrier created by the third projection 27 and the first projection 17 will allow the wire W to separate from the securing device 10. If the fence wire W is pulled in an axial direction of the fence post 15 with sufficient force, the flexible strap 23 can be pulled off of the shaft of the fence post 15 to release the wire W. For example, when an animal charges through the fence or a vehicle runs into the fence, the fence wire W will be automatically released from the fence wire securing device 10 without destroying the fence W or the securing device 10.

The securing device 10 can also be used in mounting configurations other than the first mounting configuration on a vertical round fence post 15 as described above. For example, the securing device 10 can be attached to a wooden post or plank or other stationary surface 29 using the second mounting configuration shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 . In the second mounting configuration, a fastener 30, 32 extends through a lateral bore 31 formed in the body perpendicular to the through bore 14. The fastener can be a threaded screw 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14 , or a double headed nail 32, as illustrated in FIG. 15 . The second opening 25 in the flexible strap 23 is placed over the fastener 30, 32 in the second mounting configuration to trap the fence wire W between the second end of the body 13 and the flexible strap 23.

A fence wire securing device 10 according to the present invention has been described above. A method of using the fence wire securing device 10 to secure a fence wire W to a fence post 15 or other stationary surface 29 will now be described.

In the case of a vertical round fence post 15, the securing device 10 is used in the first mounting configuration illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 12 . The body 11 of the securing device 10 is placed onto a fence post 15 with the shaft of the fence post 15 received in the through bore 14 and a free end 33 of the fence post 15 protruding from the first end 12 of the body 11. The fence wire W is then placed against the outer sidewall 16 of the body 11 between the first and second projections 17, 18. The flexible strap 23 is then bent around and stretched until the first opening 24 of the flexible strap 23 is placed over the free end 33 of the fence post 15 protruding from the first end 12 of the body 11. In this configuration, the fence wire W is trapped by the flexible strap 23 against the sidewall 16 of the body 11 between the second projection 18 on the body and the third projection 27 on the flexible strap 23.

In the case of a wooden post or plank or other stationary surface 29, the securing device 10 is used in the second mounting configuration illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15 . The securing device 10 is attached to the wooden post or other surface 29 by inserting a fastener 30, 32 through the lateral bore 31 to secure the body 11 to the stationary surface 29. The fastener 30, 32 is driven through the body 11 and into the stationary surface 29 using a screwdriver (for a threaded fastener 30), or using a hammer (for a nail-type fastener 32). The fence wire W is then placed below the body 11 of the securing device 10, and the flexible strap 23 is bent around until the second opening 25 of the flexible strap 23 is placed over the head 34 or free end of the fastener 30, 32. In this configuration, the fence wire W is trapped between the second end 13 of the body 11 and the flexible strap 23. The second mounting configuration can also be accomplished by inserting the fastener 30, 32 through the second opening 25 of the flexible strap 23 before inserting the fastener 30, 32 through the lateral bore 31 in the body 11.

As used in this application, the term “fence wire” should be understood as including all types of fence wire, including but not limited to galvanized steel wire, aluminum wire, high-tensile wire, woven wire, barbed wire, and poly fencing (e.g., polywire, polyrope and polytape).

While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence wire securing device, comprising: a body having first and second ends and a through bore extending between the first and second ends for receiving a shaft of a fence post; and a resilient flexible strap extending from said second end of the body, said flexible strap having a first opening therein, and said flexible strap being moveable between a first open configuration in which a fence wire can be placed against an outer sidewall of said body, and a second closed configuration in which the first opening in the flexible strap is placed over the shaft of the fence post adjacent to the first end of the body and the fence wire is trapped by the flexible strap against the sidewall of the body.
 2. The fence wire securing device according to claim 1, wherein said body has first and second projections that extend outwardly from said body at first and second ends of said sidewall, respectively.
 3. The fence wire securing device according to claim 2, wherein said flexible strap comprises a third projection that extends toward said sidewall between said first and second projections when said flexible strap is in said second closed configuration.
 4. The fence wire securing device according to claim 3, wherein said third projection is adjacent to said first projection at the first end of the sidewall when said flexible strap is in said second closed configuration.
 5. The fence wire securing device according to claim 4, wherein a closed space for accommodating the fence wire when the flexible strap is in said second closed configuration is defined between opposing faces of the outer sidewall and the flexible strap and opposing faces of the second projection and the third projection.
 6. The fence wire securing device according to claim 5, wherein said third projection and said first projection cooperate with each other to create a releasable barrier on one end of the closed space when the flexible strap is in said second closed configuration.
 7. The fence wire securing device according to claim 6, wherein said releasable barrier is arranged to allow the flexible strap to be pulled off of the shaft of the fence post when the fence wire is pulled in an axial direction of the fence post with a sufficient force, whereby the fence wire will be automatically released from the fence wire securing device when an animal or vehicle runs into the fence wire.
 8. The fence wire securing device according to claim 3, wherein said sidewall is substantially planar between said first and second projections.
 9. The fence wire securing device according to claim 8, wherein said first and second projections protrude outwardly from said sidewall approximately the same distance as said third projection extends from a flat face of said flexible strap.
 10. The fence wire securing device according to claim 2, wherein said first and second projections have beveled surfaces that engage a facing surface of said flexible strap when said flexible strap is in said second closed configuration.
 11. The fence wire securing device according to claim 1, wherein said through bore has a substantially triangular cross section to accommodate various shaft diameters of fence posts.
 12. The fence wire securing device according to claim 1, wherein said body and said flexible strap comprise a single integral molded article of nonconductive material.
 13. The fence wire securing device according to claim 1, wherein said body and said flexible strap are formed of a polymer alloy.
 14. The fence wire securing device according to claim 13, wherein said polymer alloy is a blend of rubber and plastic.
 15. A fence wire securing device having multiple mounting configurations, comprising: a body having first and second ends and a through bore extending between the first and second ends; and a resilient flexible strap extending from said second end of the body, said flexible strap having at least one opening therein for securing the flexible strap in a closed configuration for holding a fence wire between the flexible strap and the body.
 16. The fence wire securing device according to claim 15, wherein said fence wire securing device has a first mounting configuration in which a shaft of a fence post is received in said through bore of the body, a fence wire is placed against an outer sidewall of said body, and said at least one opening comprises a first opening in the flexible strap placed over the shaft of the fence post adjacent to the first end of the body with the fence wire trapped by the flexible strap against the sidewall of the body.
 17. The fence wire securing device according to claim 15, wherein said body has a lateral bore extending perpendicular to said through bore, and said fence wire securing device has a second mounting configuration in which a fastener extends through said lateral bore to secure said body to a mounting surface.
 18. The fence wire securing device according to claim 17, wherein said second mounting configuration includes an opening in the flexible strap arranged to be placed over the fastener with the fence wire trapped between the second end of the body and the flexible strap.
 19. The fence wire securing device according to claim 17, wherein said fastener is selected from the group consisting of a threaded screw and a double headed nail.
 20. A method for securing a fence wire to a fence post, comprising: providing a securing device having a body with first and second ends and a through bore extending between the first and second ends, and a resilient flexible strap extending from the second end of the body and having a first opening therein; placing the body onto a fence post with a shaft of the fence post received in the through bore and a free end of the fence post protruding from the first end of the body; placing a fence wire against an outer sidewall of the body; and bending said flexible strap and placing the first opening of the flexible strap over the free end of the fence post protruding from the first end of the body with the fence wire trapped by the flexible strap against the sidewall of the body. 